How to dispose of ammo no longer needed

GKC

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What do you do with ammo you no longer have any use for?

I have some various calibers of ammo that I have accumulated over time, and I have no guns to match...and have no plans to acquire other guns of the same caliber. It's not a large amount in any one caliber, maybe several boxes at most, so it's not really practical to try to sell it here (because of shipping costs.) I did sell some ammo I had once before, a couple of years ago, and the cost and trouble of shipping it were far more than it was worth.

I asked my neighbor about donating it (he is a state trooper) and he didn't sound too enthused...perhaps because they don't use too much of the surplus caliber ammo I have (.380, .38, .45 LC, .410, and 12 gauge.) I plan to stay with .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm.

I know gun shops won't buy or trade it, even in unopened boxes. Can you trade it at gun shows? Sell it at gun shows? I guess I could lump it all together and advertise it for local purchase only. (It is all commercial ammo, bought new, and not reloads.)


Any recommendations appreciated.
 
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I was going to suggest contacting your local law enforcement agency but the trooper thing seems to have squashed that.

You might try to sell it very cheap, face-to-face only, on one of the gun web sights.
 
I believe you would have no problem trading those calibers at a gun show around here, for ammo that you can use.
 
Where are you in Texas ?
Is the ammo boxed ?
Is it useable ?

I am SE of Dallas, about 30 miles or so from Mesquite.

Yes, the ammo is all boxed and useable...at most three years old, with much of it newer than that. Well, I do have some loose .38 special rounds; I loaded them into some ammo wallets, and foolishly tossed the box. Otherwise, though, it is all still in factory packaging.
 
I was going to suggest contacting your local law enforcement agency but the trooper thing seems to have squashed that.

It was more like he was thinking they would destroy it, rather than use it...I suppose out of concern for safety, or something. I was thinking they could use it for range use only...I can understand the legal issues of using donated and unverified ammo for carry.
 
Back before I had guns, Ma-in-law asked me to get rid of some .22LR that was sitting in her closet. I took it to a small gunstore where the owner said he and his grandkids would be happy to shoot it up.

IIRC, the other method in the Las Vegas area is to take it to the Fire Department.
 
My LGS has a big old pickle jar on the counter full of odds & ends ammo. People drop off their useless-to-them-rounds and he sells them by the piece, like penny candy!
 
My LGS has a big old pickle jar on the counter full of odds & ends ammo. People drop off their useless-to-them-rounds and he sells them by the piece, like penny candy!

Hmmm....I asked all three of the LGS that I trade with, and none of them wanted it; they were concerned about liability issues...even though I bought some of the ammo from them! :p
 
Spread out a blanket at the next Rainbow Festival with a sign: "Will trade ammo for food, or whatever".
 
Take em to a gun show and sell them or trade them for something you can use. Three y/o ammo and newer is like new stuff and (most) being in boxes makes for quick sales if priced right.

If you just want to donate the stuff to get rid of it,,stop by most any gun club, skeet/trap/rifle range type club and donate the ammo to them. They'll either put it on the 'Free' table like we do at ours or they'll turn around and sell it for a few bucks,,,,but it will be gone anyway.
 
I don't know what your situation is in Texas, but I've
bought & sold a lot of ammo on a Michigan based gun forum.
 
What do you do with ammo you no longer have any use for?

I have some various calibers of ammo that I have accumulated over time, and I have no guns to match...and have no plans to acquire other guns of the same caliber. It's not a large amount in any one caliber, maybe several boxes at most, so it's not really practical to try to sell it here (because of shipping costs.) I did sell some ammo I had once before, a couple of years ago, and the cost and trouble of shipping it were far more than it was worth.

I asked my neighbor about donating it (he is a state trooper) and he didn't sound too enthused...perhaps because they don't use too much of the surplus caliber ammo I have (.380, .38, .45 LC, .410, and 12 gauge.) I plan to stay with .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm.

I know gun shops won't buy or trade it, even in unopened boxes. Can you trade it at gun shows? Sell it at gun shows? I guess I could lump it all together and advertise it for local purchase only. (It is all commercial ammo, bought new, and not reloads.)


Any recommendations appreciated.

No clue. Never had any problem just shooting it up!!! I don't buy ammo for guns I don't have. When selling a gun (not very often) I will list the ammo I have in the price of the sell.

Plus I have friends, and I meet people at the range that shoot about every ammo know on earth. I hope you do also? So call one up and say you have surplus ammo, "lets go shooting".

Guy22
 
Surely you must know somwone nearby who uses those rounds.
I am of the 'pay forward' mentality.
If I have something someone can use, and I no longer need it or have spares, I am likely to just tighten 'em up.
You never know when someone might do likewise for you.
Ever wonder how all those boxes and crates full of junk accumulate. You know, the ones that the widow hauls into the trading post after the great loss of the love of her life?
Not all old equipment is junk. Or unuseable. The 'yard sale' section at the trading post is one of the most interesting in the place. Usually odd lots of ammo, brass, tools, literature, parts, and components. I got 2 lbs. of W748 for $20 last year.
I am certain someone can use whaever you have.
 
Surely someone on here that lives near you could use it.

If you don't want to sell it, just post it up for free to first taker locally..
 
I buy quite a bit of ammo locally from others who advertise on local websites. I wish you were closer. I imagine if you advertise it locally, it'll sell fast.
 

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